Alarm signal station



June 8, 1937. R, 5 AEDWARDS I 2,083,324

ALARM SIGNAL STATION Fild March zo, 1955 2 sheets-sheet 1 Q BRE/MS GLASS) MWZCASE QF MRE A 30 32 2k3-5 33 3' f/Z miy 1 34 23661-6 S. Edwards 34 60 64 a3 l #0M ATTORNEYS June 8, 1937. L R. s. EDWARDS .2,083,324

ALARM SIGNAL STATION Filed March 30, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 c f MMPULL ,446

'In www /4'0 77 576a FLPYE SiS/NAL l 75 mam QLASS 6 TQ @PEN DQOR 75 J'DULL g Dow/N LEVER 5 75 T1c1. E

8e a5 8o PULL 7 9 LEVER 73C gDQWN TQ Haag AND LET QQ y INVENTOR ROQI'. S. Edwards @dal w "ATTORNEYS f Y Patented June 8, 1937 PATENT @FFME ALARM SIGNAL STATON Robert S. Edwards, New Rochelle, N. Y., assignor to Edwards and Company, Inc., a corporation of New York application March so, 1935, serial No. 13,834V

Claims.

This invention relates to signaling apparatus and more particularly to signal stations such as are employed, for example, in iire or other alarm systems. l

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive, and practical signal station of the above-mentioned character and capable of ease and speed of assembly and of installation. Another object is Vto provide an ap- '10 paratusfoi the above-mentioned character that will be rugged and compact in construction, de-

pendable in action, and characterized by ease and dependability of manual actuation. Another object is to provide an apparatus of the ll5 above-mentioned character in which the actuation thereof may be speedily accomplished by manual movements that are free from awkwardness and thus are quite natural.

Another object of this invention is to provide 2G a signal station ofthe above-mentioned character in which the actuation of the generally remotesignal is accomplished or permitted to be accomplished by the breaking of a piece or sheet of glass and in which the breaking of the glass g5 may be quickly and efliciently achieved and with a minimum of manual effort. Another object is to provide a signal station of the above-mentioned character in which the breaking of the 'glass may be achieved by mechanism capable of g@ reliable and foolproof actuation, particularly under Ythe usually existing conditions of haste and distress under which particularly iire alarms are actuated and, moreover, by a dependably unitary or self-contained mechanism. Another object 35 is to provide, in apparatus ci the above-mentioned character, an inexpensive and mechanically efficient mechanism, capable of being actuated by a natural as .distinguished from an awkward manual movement. Another object is to 4o provideY an apparatus of the above-mentioned character in which the many disadvantages attendant upon the use of a separate or separable Y implement, like a hammer, for breaking the glass,

may be dependably and reliably avoided. An-

other object is to provide Yan apparatus of the above-mentioned character which, while successfully achieving such objects and advantages ,as have just been noted, may, nevertheless, be quickly and easily incorporated into Vexisting Y. 5.o alarm or signalinstallations. Other objects will 5= and arrangementsV of `parts as will be exemplied in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are shown several of the various possible embodiments of my invention,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a signaling or alarm station as it is installed and in readiness for use;

Figure 2 is a central Vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, as seen along theline 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional View on a similarly enlarged scale, as seen along the line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a front elevation like that of Figure l but showing the apparatus in the position it assumes after having been manually actuated;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detailed sectional View on an enlarged scale, as seen along the line 5-5 of Figure 1, showing the details of a keyoperated mechanism for holding certain parts in assembled relation;

Figure 6V is a front elevation of a diierent form or type of signaling or alarm station embodying my invention;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional View as Seen along the line '1 -7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional View on an enlarged scale, as seen Valong the line 8-8 of Figure 6, and

Figure 9 is a front elevation, certain parts being omitted, as seen along the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now again to the drawings and more particularly to Figure 2, there is shown at l0 a wall upon which there is to be mounted the signal or alarm station cf my invention; illustratively and to aid in a readier understanding of certain features of my invention, let it be assumed that the wall or support has been selected as the point where the alarm or signal station is to be installed. Illustratively, the circuit` of the signaling system, the details of which are well understood in the art and are not shown in the drawings, may be carried in a conduit Il buried in the wall lil and in such case I prefer to employ a so-called wall box or outlet box l2, which may be of any suitable and preferably standard construction, set into a suitable recess or hole I3 made in the face of the wall l and provided with a knock-out in the wall thereof to or through v respectively, by means of which a sheet metalV plate ZI may be secured in place across the other-v wise open front end of the box,

The plate 2| is of greater Ydin're'nsion'than'the box I2 so that it loverlaps the latter and also the wall Il) on all four sides of the box I2 itself. The plate 2l has securedto it, .fas 'by screws -22-23 (see now Figure 3) a switch mechanism generally indicated at 24, the latter being thereby carried finto and supported within the box I2, being provided with binding screws 25-26 (Figures'2 and 3) to which the conductors I5-I6 are f connected.

The switching mechanism 24- may be of any suitable construction but `it preferably has a plunger 2l atits forward-or outer end, Vplunger Z'I extending ireelythrough a hole r28 in the supporting plate 2I therebyto project therethrough outwardly of the box. Plunger 21, furthermore, is spring-pressed outwardly .as byaspring dia- 'grammatically indicated at 29 in Figure 2, and

the.stationary-contact memberswithin-the switch mechanism 2tl to Awhich thebinding posts 25-26 are connected andgthemovable contact-member or members coacting therewith. and carried-or actuated by the plunger 21 are so related that,

should the .plunger `Z'l-move outwardly beyond the position shown in Figures VZand 3, the circuitof the signaling system and'of which the conductors I r-I form-a partis altered and thereby a remotely vpositioned signaling apparatus visual, audible, or the like, is actuated.

AFor-example, ifthe alarmsystem is of the socalled closed-circuit type, movement of the plunger 21 outwardly of the box lf2 beyond the Vpositionshown in Figure 2 opens the circuit and the vresultant open-circuiting thereof is made toa'ctuatefthe alarm orrsignal; Of course, the system rnightlbe of any rother type, suchas the open-circuit type, in which case movement of the plunger-2l vbeyond the position shown in Figure 2 effects a-closing of the circuit with resultant actuation of the signal or alarm.

' At the lower end of the lplate 2I,the latter-has formed orupstruck Vtherefrom two spaced ears 3I`-3'I Y(Figure 1) between "which are received the earsr or-lugs32+33 of a front cover plate-34, these four ears vbeing apertured to form. thereby hinge-knuckles `and to receive therethrough a pintle or hinge pin 355 whereby the p1ate`34, of dimensionsv or .expanse substantially similar to those `ofA-the plateil, is Vhingedly connected to the plate 2l, being normally Vheldin upwardlyswung or normal, position by means or mechanism later described. .A vThe front cover plate 134 is preferablya'casting, being peripherally flanged as at 34a (Figures Zand y3) thereby to vhold the central or main bodypcrtion of theplate .34 slightly spaced for-V wardlyor away from the plate 2Iasis-better shown in FiguresZ and 3, and substantially cenwally-positioned` and thereby broughtinto juxtaposition to the-plunger-Z'lvis'a substantially rectangularly-slfiapedy opening 36, having extending thereabout inwardly and outwardly directed ilanges 3Sa (Figures 2 and 3).

In the lower left-hand corner and in the lower right-hand corner of the opening 36 (see Figure 1) are lugs 3l and 38, respectively, butthey are of lesser thickness (see Figures 2 and 3) than the iange 36a that extends about the opening 36. Thereby there are formed two seats, respectively, for the two lower corners of a sheet of glass 4! also rectangular in shapel and.` sufficiently less in dimension to t loosely into the rectangular hole 36 but in back of the lugs 3'I-38.

Just above therectangular aperture 36 (Fig-- ure 1) there are formed in the front cover plate 43?4-twofhorizontally Aspaced lugs 4I-42 apertured 'the lever is in the position shown inzFigures l and 2, projects over the upper portion of the aperture 33 and centrally thereof, the short arm portion 44e (Figure 2) having its inside face substantially in alinernent with the plane of the inside facesof the lugs 35i-38, thereby vforming a third outer support for the glass 43. Thus the shortarm portion 44a, acting at-the central portion of the upper edge of the glass 4I) (Figure 1) and the two lugs l3ft-38 acting upon Vthe lower left and right-handcorners, respectively, of the glass40, contact the outer face of the latter and normally vprevent removal of vthe glass -4Il out of its frame, a vframe formedy by the apertureflange 3ER, and thus at these three points or by these three parts the reaction of =the spring 29 (Figure'Z) upon the .plunger2'I and through the latter upon the-sheet of glass-Mis taken up and the plunger 21 prevented from moving outwardly beyond the position shown in Figure 2.

The lever 44, whose long arm 44b extends vertically and upwardlyalong the front face of the frontplate 34 (see Figure 2) is, moreover, normally `held in this position, a position in which it aids, as above noted, in holding the glass 40-and hence-theplungerzlof the switch'mechanism 24 in-proper positions, by-a leaf spring 5I) (see Figure 2) which is secured to a projection or lug-34b'upon the inside face of the front plate 34, as byascrew 5I. Spring 50,shaped substantially as' shown in Figure 2, extends-downwardly into'contact'with the inside flat face of the short arm portion 44a, being an upward extension Aof the same iiat face that engages the outer'face of ythe sheet of glass 4El;moreover, thev engagement offspring 50 withthis portion of the lever 44 is, as isclear from Figure 2, below the axis of the shaft or stud 43 about which the. lever 44 may swing, and thus theaction of the spring 5l) is to yieldingly hold the lever 4I) with its long arm portion -44b flush against the front face of the l front plate 34.

The spring-5G, moreover, is strong enough to hold the'lever 44 flush against they front face of the front plate 34 even though the latter is swung -in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2, about the axis ofthe'hing'e pin 35,-and thereby `the inner flat face vof the short arm portion44a of the lever 44 is held inproper alinement with, the coacting glass-supporting lugs 314.35. Accordingly, when glass. 45.! -is put in placeor is replaced and front plate 34 swung in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2,' throughout say 90,Vthe parts 4411,4 31 and'38 are in proper alinement to have the glass 4I) rested against them as itjis placed within the frame-like aperture-ange-Ba (see Figure 3), spring 50 .thus insuring'that lever 44 does not interfere withY the proper replacement 'of glass may now be swung in clockwise direction back to its normal vertical position in which it covers over the main supporting plate 2|, glass 4|) push- 'ing the plunger 2l back to its'normal position earlier. above-mentioned. At the' same time,

- however, the upper portion of the glass 4Q has been brought into juxtaposition to ltwo lugs 53 andr (Figures 1 and 3), one'lug 53 being closely `adjacent to the left-hand edge ofl'the glass l0 fand lug 55 being'closelyadjacent the right-hand edge of the glass 45. Moreover, lugs 53-54 are positioned, as is better shown in Figure 1, in substantial alinement with the short arm portion Ma of the leverY |34. Lugs 53-54 are. carried by the main supporting plate 2| and Conveniently and preferably they are struck up out of the plate 2|, as is better Yshown in Figure 3. Theyare'dimensioned so asfto leave'adequate space'between the plane of their outermost edges or faces' and the plane of the inner faces of the parts 44a, 3l and 38 to freely orsnugly accommodate therebetween the thickness of the Yglass sheet 4|).

'The front plate member 3d, with the glass member lrelated'to it as above described and to the'plunger 21,'is'held in closing position, the position Vshown in Figures 1 2 and 3, by means that is preferably key-controlled or key-operated so that an authorized person provided with a key may swing the front plate 34 open for testing theV signal circuit, for replacing the broken' glass 4B, or for other legitimate purposes. This key-operated mechanism may comprise a small plug 4Gili (Figures 1A and 5) rotatably 'mounted preferably in'an upper' portion of the front plate or cover 34 and provided with a' rearwardly directed square. shank 6| (Figure 5) which carries and to which is secured a cam-like bolt member 62 adapted to coact with and, when rotated to a proper position, to take in back of a lug or keeper 2|a secured to butpreferably struck up from or out of the sheet metal of the main supporting plate 2|, all as is better shown' in Figure 5. Y v i The front face of the rotatable plug may be and preferably-is substantially flush with the frontface of the front cover plate 3e and it may be provided with two diametrically opposed apertures B3 and 6d to receive two prongs of a key by which, therefore', they plug GEB and the bolt member E2 may be rotated to lockthe front'cover and related parts into the position shown in Figure 2, or to unlock the Yfront cover 34 from the plate 2| to permit the front plate 34 to be swung away from. the'plate 2i forfpurposes already mentioned above. Now the long arm"portion 44h of the lever 44 (seeFig'ures 1 and 2)V will be seen to be of progressively greater expanse, terminating in a wide finger piece portion 541 whose inside face 46e (see Figure 2) is concaved, having a curvature into which the gripping ends of twothree or four of the fingers of the 'hand conveniently fit, the fingerpiece portion MC being suflicientiy spacedV away from the front faceofA the wall i-fl (see-Figure 2) by the structural features above described as well as by the curvature and shape of the long arm portion @lib of the lever itself. i The relatively broad Vexpanse of the long arm leverportion Mb. as well as the front part of the finger piece portion lflil'thereof, is large enough to bear suitably largewords or legends of instruction,

illustratively, the words "Pull to break glass substantially as is shown in Figure l. Where the mechanism is intended to function as a fire alarm station, the lower portion of the front plate 34 may bear appropriate indicia or legends, such as In case of fire. In any case, when it is desired to actuate the alarm or the remote signal, and it isV particularly to be noted that in the case of a re alarm there is always haste, excitement, and

frequently mental confusion and panic, the operi ator simply, and with a perfectly normal movement of the hand, grasps the finger piece 44C, simply putting the ends of the fingers in back of the linger piece and tting them into the concavity Me, and then, with what is again a per-'U fectly natural movement, pulls the lever 44 t0- ward him; Because of the arrangement of the parts, the eiort or exertion necessary to do this is very small, thus insuring certainty of actuation of the plunger 27 under the urge of the spring 29:y

and thus insuring the actuation of the remote signal.

This because of certain unique coactions and interrelations of the parts. To begin with, the lever arm Illia, which acts directly upon the glass sheet 4E), is very short in comparison to the relatively very long lever arm 44h through which the manual force or exertion is brought into play.

Thereby a very substantial multiplication of force ,l

is achieved and thereby a relatively small manual eiort suices to eXerta relatively very great force or effort through or by the short arm ||4a of the lever, The latter, however, acts upon the glass 4D at a point midway between the two laterally spaced supports or lugs EIS-ft. Hence, this relatively large force, acting upon the glass at a point where there is no support immediately to the rear, is effective quickly to exert a bending and hence fracture or breaking of the glass.

'Ihe glass is thus virtually shattered and more particularly the mechanism makes certain that the glass breaks or shatters in the region, illustratively its central region, where the glass therei tofore had been acting to hold the signal actuating part or plunger 2 against movement. Thus a positive and certain removal of the obstructing sheet of glass 4|] is achieved and the path of movement of the plunger 2l easily and quickly cleared so that the plunger may freely move outwardly or to the left, as viewed in Figure 2.

Accordingly, the alarm or signal is effectively and quickly sounded or set into action.

The continued downward sweep or swing of the lever 44, effecting fracture of the glass member 40, as above described, brings it now into the position shown in Figure 4 from which it will be seen that it now `again occupies a position flush or at against the front cover plate 34 but with. the outside face thereof, which as above noted, preferably bearsa legend like Pull to break glass, now facing toward the cover plate 34 and hence that legend is now obscured or hidden from View, but at the same time what is the rear face of the portion Mb of the lever 44, as viewed in Figures 1 and 2, now becomes exposed (see Figure 4). That face preferably bears a legend such as Replace glass. Thereby the actuation of the mechanism as above described is made also to visually signal or signify the condition of the mechanism and, by the last-mentioned legend, theretofore obscured as in Figures l and 2. is made also to designate literally what has to be done to restore themechanism to its initial or normal condition. Furthermore, and as appears better in Figure 4, the

, thus virtually removes from the temptation of individuals having inclinations toward pranks or v tampering, the actuated plunger 21.

As .the lever ..44 -is swung in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2 and as above deyscribed, to break the glass .49, the earlier portions yofithis down-ward swing take place against vthe faction of the spring 59 whose lower end is cammed orfbowedinwardly to let the glass-engaging end of the short lever arm Alay-pass the spring and to .become ultimately exposed forwardly and upwardly -as shown at 44a in Figure 4. By that .angularchange in the lever member 44 by about A 18(lythat portion of the lever 44 that appears to 22o .right of the stud 43 and that outer surface thereof vthe left of the' pivoting stud 43 is disposed to the that is to the lower left of the stud 43, as nowvseen downward position (that of Figure 4) no portion in Figure 2, becomessubstantially alined with the intermediate inclined portion of the spring 5l).-

`Moreover, these parts are so shaped, all as clearly `shown'inrFigure 2, that, with the lever 44 in its ofrthe lever -44 isfavailable to serve as an abutment :that is alined with the lugs 31 and 38, and

accordingly an attempt now made to put in a glassY Allis met with an outward tilting of the replacement glass since its upper outer edge is devoid of a supportingv abutment that is alined with the lower outer lugs 31, 38. This preferred construction, action and arrangement are for a purpose about vto be set forth. Y

.The restoration of the mechanism to normal condition may now be proceeded with `substantially in the manner already indicatedor described above. The authorized person thereupon utilizes "asuitable key-to rotate the key plug 60 to 'disengage the rotary bolt or cam member 62 from the keeperl lav (Figure 5) whereupon the outer cover plate34 maybe swungjin counter-clockwise direction as viewedinFigure 2, about the hinge pin 35,

' .thereby makingthe inner face of'themember 34 accessible for the replacement of the glass member 2.40., Anewglass piece may now be` inserted but it is tobe notedthat the construction is such that Y the lever member44 ymust first be 'returned to its normal position, `as shown vin Figures 1 and 2, spring 50 being effective tohold it in such normal position r-as .above described; this because the right-hand vertical face ofthe short arm portion 44a (Figure 2) of the lever member 44 is pref- I erably made to constitute onel ofthe supports for the glass member 40 and accordingly a new glass member cannot be put into position unless this face ofthe lever member v44 is iirst properly positioned, and yto do that requires the restoration of themember 44 to its normal position relative to the cover member 34.

Whenthe lever member 44 is so restored to the position shown in Figure-2 the right-hand vertical faceof the short lever arm 44a again becomes alined, as shown'in Figure'2, .with the two lower lugsv 31, 38, andthese three parts may thus serve yto receive thereon the replacement glass member 40, it being noted that, during this operation, the cover member, swung in counter-clockwise direction about the axis pin and 'away from ,thel

plate 2|, is preferably held in a position approximating the. horizontal. y l

' The glasshaving been replaced, the cover memberV 34 is swung back and during this operation the replaced vglass 4111s carried against vthe spring pressed plunger 21, the latter :being -gpushedinwardly thereby, andthe upper rightand lefthand portions of the glass (see Figures 1 and 2) become snugly juxtaposed to the laterally spaced lugs53, 54. Thereupon-the lock mechanism y67|).- 62 is again actuated to hold the member 34 in closing position. The rear Vface of the portion 4,4b

of the lever44 and which Aface bearsthe legend,

Replace glass nowbecomesobscured andheld from view while the theretofore obscured legend,

such as t*Pull to break glass `on'theffront face.

nism'generally'indicatedat 1| and, where it is Y electrical, connected as bythe lconductors 'I5-I6 to thedesired or appropriate circuit. Thefmechanism 1i Vmay be of any-desired or suitable form and it rhas `projecting outwardly of "the box 10 (tothe left in` Figure 7) -a device,` illustratively and usually a 'lever 12 whose -manual actuation `is necessary before the signalis-brought intoactuation.

'I'herbox 10 ispreferably closed by an'inner door 13 (Figures lGand '1) -hinged ltofthehinge pin or pintle 14 by its'hingeknuckles 13aand 13b, hinge pin 14being-fsupported-by ears -or hingeknuckles 10a and 10b formed on'the frontflange 10 of th box 41li.

'The inner'door '13 is held in closed'position byy any suitable imeans, preferably a Ykey-controlled or other suitable lock -mechanism (not shown) `and the door"13jhas a'suitable opening 13C (Figures 7 and 9) through which ithe lever 12 projects so that it maybe manually operated without having to openthe inner door AJ1-3. Theinner door 13 may have on its front'face afsuitable legend ofinstructions, suchas the legend as shown in Figure 9, dealing With'howto operate-the lever 12.

Access, however, to the lever 12 is barredby an outer cover plateor vclosure15, hereinafter called the outer door which is Vhollow-likefso as to enclose between its Vouter wall, its peripheral'ange 15, and the inner door 13, a suitable space-for accommodating the lever12 and certain other mechanisms about to be described; Theftwo doors 13 and 15 will be seen to be of substantially/fthe same expanse Vwhen viewed in plan, as in Figure 6. The

outer door '13 is provided with ears or -hi'nge knuckles 15e`and 15b (Figure 6) througnwhich the hinge pin '14 passes whereby, when the'outer door 15 is conditioned as later describedtopermit of its swinging on. its hinge, it may -be swung open and away from the inner door'13 andthereby expose'the actuating Vlever12. APreferably vthe outer door 15 isv provided with ahandle-like projection 15d (Figures '1 and') to facilitatethis opening movement of the door manually. Y

Appropriately Y positioned in the wall of the door 15, the latter conveniently being a casting, is a rectangularly shaped opening 1t (Figures 6 and 7), like the opening 36 of Figures 1, 2 and 3, having extending thereabout a flangeh'ia which projects y'inwardly and outwardly (Figure 8) and just above the'opening '16 the front door 15 is provided with horizontally spaced lugs I4I and v|42 to receive a pin or pintle I43- aboutpwhich pivots, a lever '|44 of a configuration and characteristics exactly like the lever 44 of Figures 1-3 and already above described in detail inA connection. with those figures, the inner face of the door (Figure 7) having mounted thereon a flat spring |58 constructed and mounted as is the spring 59 of Figure 2 for engagement with the short arm portion I 44a of the lever and to coact therewith as was alreadydescribed above in connection with the construction of Figures l-3.

The opening "i5 is closed by a piece of glass |45, like the glass 48 earlier described. And to hold the glass |49 in place (Figures 6 and 7) against outward movement (to the left as viewed in VvFigure 1) the inner vertical face of the lever arm lllda engages the, glass 28 substantially centrally of its upper portion (Fig. 7) and has `coacting therewith two lugs i8? integrally formed with the flange 16a and engaging the glass |40 at its lower left and right-hand corners.

To hold the glass against movement inwardly 4V(to the right as viewed in Figure '1) I provide two lugs |53 and 55 (Figures 6 and '7) integrally formed with the flange i5EL but spaced rearwardly 4suiciently so that the thickness of the glass |119 may be accommodated between them and the lever end |44?.

The glass 55 is inserted or replaced after opening the door 15 and hence it is inserted from the inside of the door, the upper portion of the glass lli being inserted between lever arm lill-lfl and the lugs |53|5d, the lower end of the glass |58 taking against the lugs |31|38 to prevent this lower end of the glass |55 from l moving inwardly of the door, I then swing into Vposition a U-shapedY clamp 11 (Figure 7) clamp l1 being pivoted on a stud 18 carried on the inside face of the door' 15 and having its free end threaded to receive a nut 19 which, upon being tightened up, causes the lower end of the glass lll to be clamped between the clamp member 11 and the lugs |31|33.

Mounted upon the inside face of the door 15 and positioned to coact with the glass |49 and also with the boi; or the inside door 'i3 is a spring latch 88 (Figure 8), having a latch portion 80e and a controlling lever portion 89h; latch 80 is mounted to pivot about a vertical axis which is provided byV a stud or pin 8| that is carried by an L-shaped bracket 82 secured to the inside face ofthe door 15 as by screws or rivets 83 and the stud 8| is so positioned relative to the opening 16 and the controlling arm or lever 801D of the latch v80 is so dimensioned that the free end of portion 881 engages the glass |40 substantially centrally of the latter and of course at its rear face. Furthermore, a coiled spring 48l! having one end 84a anchored to the stud 8| and having its other end 85h in engagement with the arm portion 89h (Figure 8) acts yieldably to hold the' latch 85 in a position such that the lever arm 80h thereof is held in engagement with the glass Ill, the latter thereby acting to limit the action of the spring Sil and thus acting as a stop to limit the movement of the latch 3U.

The latch portion 80a (Figure 8), being substantially hook-shaped, is positioned to be engaged by a yieldably mounted keeper bar 85 (Figure 9),.keeper bar 85 being rigidly carried by a shaft 86 rotatably carried by the inner door 13. More specifically the shaft 85 (Figure 8) passes through a hole in the door 13, the walls of the hole forming one bearing therefor, whence its inner end, being stepped as shown in Figure 8, is rotatably received through 'a suitable hole,

forming the other bearing therefor, in a bracket the like 88 Secured to the end of the shaft 86 bears against the other face of the bracket B1 and thus holds the shaft and hence the keeper bar 85 against movement in an axial direction.

A coiled spring 89 (Figure 8) has one end 89a thereof anchored to the shaft 88 and has its other end 88 extending into engagement with the bracket 81; this spring is tensioned so that tends to rotate the shaft 86 and hence the keeper bar 55 in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 9, and hence it acts yieldingly to hold the parts 65-85 in the position shown in Figures and 9 against a stud or pin 9|] mounted upon the outer face of the door 13 and being of suicient length to be in the path of swinging movement of the upper endof the keeper bar 85, as viewed in Figure 9.

Now the shaft 88 and the keeper bar 85 are so positioned relative to the latch portion 89a of the latch member 88 (Figure 8) that, as the outer door i5 is swung to closed position up against the inner door i3, the lower end (Figure 9) of the latch bar or keeper bar 85 is in the path of movement of the latch portion 88a of the member Bil; but due tothe curved inner face of the hook-shaped latch portion 89, acting as a cam when it engages the latch bar 85, causes the later and the shaft 85 to be rotated in clockwise direction (Figure 9) against the action of the spring 89 and when the door 15 completes its closing movement relative to the inner door 13, the latch bar 85 rides off the curved face or edge of the latch portion 88a and under the urge of the spring 39 snaps into engagement with the latch portion 88a substantially as shown in Figures 8 and 9. Y

Accordingly, the outer door 15 is now securely locked in closed position; the door cannot be opened so long as the interengagement of the parts 8B and 85 remains as just described. But it is to be noted that the glass lli (Figure 8) is instrumental in fixing the position of one of these two parts, namely, the part 8D, while in turn (see now Figure '7) the short arm portion UlliEL of the lever |45 is instrumental in fixing the position of the glass I 40. Where, therefore, the spring 84 (Figure 8) acts upon the latch member 8!) as above described, and preferably this spring is relatively powerful, as will later appear, the reaction of this spring Bil is taken up by the lever le@ (Figure 7) and spring 84 thus also acts to hold the lever |45 in its uppermost position with its long arm portion IMb against the wall of door 15.

The door 'i5 preferably bears appropriate legends or instructions indicative of how to operate the signal station; for example, it may have prominently displayed thereon, as indicated in Figure G, a legend reading, for example, Fire signal-Break glass to open door-Pull down lever. But the lever |44, when in its normal position, prominently displays the legend or instruction, for example, Pull to break glass. Accordingly, when the signal station is to be used, the broad curved expanse llllic of the long lever arm portion lMb, forming a finger piece or hand grip portion therefor, the operator simply grasps the finger portion Ultic by putting the ends of the fingers in back thereof and with an entirely natural movement he pulls the lever |44 toward him. Again, due to features above de- "scribed in connection with Figures 1-3, a multiplication of force is achieved whereby a small of the widely laterally spaced supports IES- |54 (Figure 6) which hold the glass M0 against inwardV movement.

' rThe glass M0 is thus virtually shattered and,

as with the arrangement of Figures 1-3, the broken pieces quickly fall out of the way; thereby the relatively powerful spring 84 (Figure 8) swings the latch member 80 in clockwise direction, its lever end 80h, due to the shattering and removal of the glass Hit, being rnow freed for further movement under the action of the spring 84; accordingly, a sufficient clockwise movement of member Bil takes place to swing the latch end Bil? thereof out'of engagement with Athe latch bar or keeper bar 85, whereupon the outer door 15 may be freely opened, and the lever 12 or like 'mechanismexposed through the inner door i3 may be manually operated to actuate the signal mechanism 1|. Preferably, the flange 16e (Figure 8) acts as a stop to limit undue clockwise movement of the member 8D when the glass Mil, is broken out of the aperture. i

Y The lever member M4 now assumes a position relative to the opening I6 and the door 'l5 like that shown in Figure 4 with respect to the lever 44; like the latter it also bears a, legend (not shown) which can read, for example Replace glass. now be proceeded with, the 'new piece of glass being inserted from the inside of the open door i5 in a manner already above described.

Authorized access to theinterior of the mechanism may, however, be gained without having to breakthe glass M0, and this is preferably achieved by providing a keyhole 15e (Figures 6 and 8) in thel outer door 'l5 but in line with the axis of the shaft 86 Whose outermost end is squared olf as at 86a (FigureV 9) so that it may be engaged by ra suitably shaped key inserted through the keyhole and by the key rotated in clockwise direction (Figure 9) to move the latch bar out of engagement with the latch end till8d of the latch member 30.

In either of the illustrative embodiments of my invention above described, it will be seen that dependable breakage of the glass or other suitableor appropriate fragile member upon which the lever and force-multiplying'mechanism op.- erate, is achieved and, moreover, by simple and foolproof means capable furthermore `of actuation bya quite natural manual movement. These features and the simplicity of arrangement and operation insure that the signal-controlling means and the signal itself are actuated with certainty. and free from confusion or the like.

Furthermore, in accordance with certain other features of my invention, I make certain that replacement of the broken part, such as the glass 49 of Figures 1-4 or the glass Mil of Figures 6-7, is made to take place in such a manner that the restoration of the hand-lever and its glass-breaking Dart to normal operating position, as shown in Figuresy 1-2 and Figures 6-7, is safely `and dependablyassured. For example, the left-hand face or edger ofthe short arm lever portion 46a l of Figure 2 or |42@ of Figure '7 has such a coniigurationthat, wheny the lever d or Md is in its operated or lowermost position (as in Figure 4), this left-handface or edge, now facing to the Replacement of the broken glass may righty or inwardly, forms an obstruction to the proper fitting intothe aperture Vof a new or replacement piece of glass. Thereby I make certain that, before the replacement glass piece can be fitted into the aperture in the front cover or door, the operating lever must first be swung back to its normal or uppermost position, thereby to re'- move this obstruction and thereby to permit the insertion of a new or replacement part. vIn this connection, I may and preferably do also so shape the short lever arm, particularly where, as in the preferred embodiments, I utilize a face or edge of the short lever arm to function directly in holding the breakable part in place, so thatV itfunctions to aid in holding the glass part in the aperture only when or after it is swung into its uppermost or normal position. Thus, I dependably eliminate faulty or improper restoration of the apparatus to its normal condition.

It willA thus be seen that there has been provided in this invention an apparatus and construction in which the various objects hereinabove noted together With many thoroughly practical advantages are successfully achieved. The apparatus will be seen to be of a thoroughly practical character, compact, self-contained, and has no parts, such as a hammer or the like, heretofore employed, to become lost or separated from the mechanism. Moreover, the apparatus is simple andy convenient to operateand makes for great certainty and reliability of operation. Furthermore, it will be seen that the apparatus is exceedingly well adapted, to meet the peculiar conditions of practical use, particularly where the mechanism is employed in lire alarm systems.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: y

l. In signaling apparatus, in combination, a wall member having an aperture therein, an easily breakable part .adapted to substantially close said aperture, means related to the latter for holding said part in aperture-closing position and including three members spaced apart, two of said members holding said part by engagement therewith on one face thereof and the third holding said part by engaging said part on the other face thereof, means mounting one of said members to be capable of movement in a direction relative to the remaining two members to effect breakage of said part, means operating to hold said one movable member against movement out of holdingrelation to said breakable part, and means for manually effecting'movement of said movable member in said first-mentioned direction.V

2. In signaling apparatus, in combination, a wall member having an aperture therein,`an easily breakable part adapted to substantially close said aperture, means related to the latter for holding said part in aperture-closing position and including three Vmembers spaced apart, tWo of saidk members engaging Vsaid part on one face thereof and the third engaging said part on the otherl face thereof, a lever pivotally supported by said wall member and having a long arm provided with* means whereby it may be manuallygrasped and operated and having a short arm whoseend portion comprises one of said three members and which short arm, upon operation of said lever, thereby eifects breakage of said breakable part and is moved out of part-holding relationship with respect to the remaining or" said three members, whereby, to replace said breakable part, said lever must rst be given a reverse actuation to restore said part-holding relationship with respect to a replacement Vbrekable part.

3. In signaling apparatus, in combination, a wall member having an aperture therein, an easily breakable part'adapted to substantially close said aperture, means related to the latter for holding said part in aperture-closing position and including three members spaced apart, two of said members engaging said part on one face thereof and the third engaging said part cnthe other face thereof, force-multiplying means-for manually moving one of said members in a direction to effect breakage of said breakable part, and means preventing movement of said one movable member out of part-holding relationship to the others excepting by said force-multiplying means.

4. In signaling apparatus, in combination, a wall member having an aperture therein, an easily breakable part adapted to substantially close g said aperture, a manually movable member havbreakable part in said aperture and against the force exerted thereon by said one portion when said other portion is moved in a direction away from said wall member.

V@so

5. In signaling apparatus, in combination, a wall member having an aperture therein, an easily breakable part adapted to substantially close said aperture, a manually movable member having two portions, means movably supporting said member with respect to said wall member in such a position that one of said portions is juxtaposed to said breakable part and the other of said portions is juxtaposed to said wall member and is by thelatter blocked against movement toward said wall member and in such manner that movement of said other portion away from said wall member moves said first portion in a direction to break said breakable part, a device engaging said breakable part on the side thereof remote from said one portion of said manually actuatable member, and spring means pressing said device against said breakable part and the latter against said Vone portion and thereby holding said other portion against said wall member, whereby said one portion breaks said breakable part when said other portion is moved away from -said wall memberl and thereby frees said spring-pressed device for movement into said aperture.

6. In signaling apparatus, in combination, a wall having an aperture therein, two movable members, means movably supporting one of said members on one side of said wall member and in juxtaposition to said aperture, means pivotally supporting the other of said movable members on the other side of said wall member, said other member having one portion normally juxtaposed to said aperture and a handle portion for manually effecting movement of said member, stop means coacting between said wall'and said other movable member toY hold it against movement bysaid'handle portion in such a direction as would carry said one portion out of juxtaposition to said aperture and to permit movement by said handle portion only in a direction to move said one portion into said aperture, and an easily breakable part mounted in said aperture and interposed between said one portion of said one movable member and said other movable member and in the respective paths of movement thereof.

7. In signaling apparatus,` in combination, an enclosure having an opening therein, a lever having a long lever arm and a short lever arm, means pivotally mounting said lever to said enclosure so that said long lever arm is exposed exteriorly of said enclosure and said short lever arm is normally exposed to said opening and to swing about an axis such that manual actuation of said long lever arm effects movement of said short lever arm transversely of the plane of said opening, an easily breakable part positioned in said opening with its outer face against said short lever arm, a member movably mounted within said enclosure and having a path of movement transversely of and through the plane of said opening, spring means tending to move said member alongsaid path and against the inner face of said breakable part and thereby holding the latter againstV said short lever arm, and abutment means holding said breakable part against movement in response to actuation of said lever in a direction to move said short lever arm from its normal position and inwardly of said opening, whereby actuation of said lever in the said direction `effects breaking of said breakable part'and said member is thereby freed to partake of movement along said path.

8. A construction as claimed in claim 7 in which there is provided yieldable means for yieldably holding said lever, after breakage of said breakable part and after a reversed manual vactution of said lever, in a position, to present and hold said short lever arm exposed to said opening and thereby for the proper reception of a replacement `breakable part with respect to said opening, said abutment means and said short lever arm.

9. In signaling apparatus, in combination, an enclosure having a front wall that is substantially dat and has an opening therein whose upper edge is spaced downwardly from the upper edge of said wall, a lever having a relatively short lever arm and a relatively long and wide lever arm, means pivoting said lever intermediate of its said lever arms and externally of said wall with its short lever arm overhanging said opening and with its long and wide lever arm resting flatwise against the portion of said wall above said opening, whereby the latter wall portion permits movement of said lever only in a direction to carry said long lever arm away from said wall portion and to move said short lever arm inwardly of said opening, a relatively easily breakable part shaped to close said opening, a spring pressed member movably mounted to the rear of said wall and engaging said breakable part and urging the latter in a direction outwardly of said opening and hence against said overhanging short lever arm and thereby holding said pivoted lever with its wide lever arm resting flatwise against said wall portion, and means related to said opening and operating, when said lever is swung to move its long lever arm away from said wall portion, to cause the resultant inward movement of said short lever arm to break said breakable part and thereby free said spring pressed member for movement.

10. A construction as claimed in claim 7 in 'of 'so shaped as to be ineffectual to have a re` placement breakable part rested thereagainst,

"l5 thereby to necessitate a reverse actuation lof said lever to its; initial position before ar replacement breakable part can be relatedto said opening, and means acting upon said lever with suiiicient force to hold it 'in its said 'initial position when l"-2'0 returned thereto but with insuflicient force to prevent manual actuation of said lever out of said initial position fora subsequent part-break- 'ing actuation.

12. A construction 'as claimed in claim y9 in 2.2"5 Whioh'the'face of said long lever arm that is no-r- 'mally toward said wall bears an inverted legend likeReplace glasswhich is 'exposed 'and turned right side upA whensaid lever is 'swung to break said'breakabile part.

:530 '13; A construction as claimed in claim 9 in V"which said front wall is cut away adjacent the edge 'of said opening to accommodate said 'short lever arm as-'said lever continues toswing about its pivot in part-breaking direction, and a spring mounted tothe rear of said front wall and acting through'said cut away portion of the latter'upon said lever'- Nto hold the latter, upon a return swingingr of the latter to bring. thelong and wide lever arm thereof vagainst said front wall portion, in

its returned position, and to hold saidsho-rt lever arm in overhangingrelation to said opening for the reception thereagainst of `a replacement breakable part.

14. In signaling apparatus, in combination, a cover for a signal or alarm box, said cover having an openingY therein, a relatively easily breakable member shaped to close said opening, means for holding said breakable member in openingclosing position, said means including a movable part, means movably mounting said movable part f on said cover so that it may partake of movement in a direction to break said breakable member, means holding' said movable part against movement in a ydirection out of holding relationship with respect to said breakab'le member, and manually actuatable force-multiplying means operativev upon said movable part to move it in a direction to effect breakage of said breakable part. l

15. In signaling apparatus, in combination, a cover for a signal or alarm box, Said cover having an opening therein, a'relatively easily breakable part for closing said opening, said opening having adjacent thereto means for engaging said part at Aat least two relatively widely spaced points, a lever having two effective lever arms, one of which is shaped to 'be engaged by the hand for swinging said lever, and means pivoting said lever `to said cover at a point intermediate 

